austraLasia 909
DON BOSCO IN CHINA:
presentation on behalf of the Hong Kong Don Bosco Charitable Foundation
HONG KONG: 16th October '04 -- The Salesian Media have occasionally offered information regarding a 'Salesian presence' in the People's Republic of China. This press release is meant to provide all those who follow the progress of Don Bosco's educational work in the world with reliable, up-to-date information.
Q: Does the Salesian Congregation run schools in Mainland China?
A: The Salesian Congregation does not run schools or any other services in Mainland China, but the Hong Kong Don Bosco Charitable Foundation does. Chinese law allows for freedom of belief and those 'religious expressions' that come under the state-sanctioned Patriotic Association. Not only are missionary activities forbidden, but also International Religious Orders like the Salesian Society cannot operate in China.
Q: What is the DBF?
A: The Hong Kong Don Bosco Charitable Foundation (DBF) is a charitable organisation registered in Hong Kong. It serves the community through education and welfare, with a special eye to underprivileged youth. The DBF cannot do religious or missionary work in China, but is free to promote the educational system of 'the great Italian educator, Don Bosco'. As such it works within Chinese Law ('Social forces running schools') to provide welfare service and non-formal education to Chinese youth.
Q: When was the DBF established?
A: The work of the DBF in China can be traced back to the early 1980's when a group of devoted Chinese and Western volunteers started their work to help poor and underprivileged people in Guangdong province. The HK Don Bosco Charitable Foundation was formally established in 1998 to take over such operations and related assets. In 2000 it became a Company Limited by Guarantee and as such is tax-exempted.
Q: Who runs the DBF?
A: The management of the DBF is vested in an Executive Committee. The current Committee, elected in 2003, consists of its chairman Mr John Wong and his team of 6 members. Mr Wong is a past pupil of St Louis School (in Hong Kong) and an architect by profession. He has been involved in the activities of the DBF for several years in various capacities, with great dedication and professionalism. The Committee guides the development of the present activities of the DBF and seeks new avenues to serve the community.
Q: How does the DBF fund its activities?
A: Funding of the many activities comes from fund raising both in Hong Kong and overseas. The DBF has an extensive network of past pupils, friends, and benefactors in Hong Kong and Macao. Its work is also well recognised and supported by NGOs in Europe, such as VIS in Italy, Jugend Dritte Welt of Germany, and Jovenes del Tercer Mundo of Spain.
Q: What projects is the DBF currently involved in?
A: The work of the DBF in China has targeted 4 areas:
1. Vocational Training
In 2000 the DBF built the Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre in Shitan (Guangdong Province) at the invitation of the Zengcheng authorities to provide vocational training to the numerous junior to middle-school leavers who were underage for employment. The Centre was built with the help of several European governments and NGOs. It was inaugurated in 2002 by Italy's Ambassador to China and the local Mayor of Zengcheng. The Centre began taking in students in September 2000 and offers 2-year courses in Computers, Secretarial Services, Electricity, Offset Printing and Packaging, Mechanics, Auto mechanics and Industrial Design. It currently enrols 320 students of both sexes, 200 of whom are boarders, and it will soon develop to its full capacity of 400 day and 200 evening students when a new classroom block is completed later this year.
2. Projects in education
Over the past decade the DBF has also contributed to some 60 projects by re-building rural schools, student dormitories, and granting numerous scholarships to guarantee basic schooling to children in the provinces of Guangdong (especially in the Shaoguang area), Guangxi, Yunnan and Guizhou. In recognition of its contribution, in 2001 the Shixing (Guangdong) and Shaoguan (Guangdong) governments respectively, awarded Honorary Citizenship to several DBF members. And in 2002 the Yunnan provincial government granted the 'Model Sponsor for Educational Projects' award to the Foundation.
3. Children's Centre
In 1995 the DBF inaugurated the Shitan Chiyu Children's Centre in Zengcheng (Guangdong) to take care of children aged 5 to 15 years from families facing severe difficulty (children whose parents are handicapped or suffering from illness; orphans or those with single and poor parents, and the like). The Centre offers these children a healthy, home environment and a chance to attend local schools. It also runs an in-house kindergarten both for its own children and those of nearby villages. There are now 80 children in the Centre, looked after by locally recruited housemothers.
4. Services to the poor and the sick
The DBF also supports and sponsors numerous development projects, including medical facilities and rehabilitation services to sick people, drinking water supply projects to minority villages in Yunnan, housing projects for the removal of minority villages in Ruyuan (Guangdong), etc.
Q: Can we report this information in our media?
A: Yes, all this information can be publicised as long as we make it clear that all this is done by the DBF and not by the Salesian Society, and we speak with respect about and look with a positive mind at the great progress that China is making.
Q: Where can we get further information about the DBF and its work?
A: We shall soon have our own Web page and a DVD which we will send to anyone who requests it. You may also write to us at hkdbcf@netvigator.com
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